Musk mallow seed oil was once frequently used as a substitute in perfumes for animal
musk; however, this use is now mostly replaced by various
synthetic musks due to its high cost. In her 1705 book the
Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium,
Maria Sibylla Merian described how the young indigenous women would string the seeds on threads and wear the seeds as decoration on their arms. She also indicated that the Indigenous people used the seeds to fatten up their chickens.
Culinary uses It has many culinary uses. The seeds are added to coffee; unripe pods ("musk okra"), leaves and new shoots are eaten as vegetables.
Medicinal uses Different parts of the plant (
latākastūrikā, लताकस्तूरिका, in Sanskrit) have uses in
Ayurveda herbal medicine, including as an antispasmodic and to treat
gonorrhea. However, use may result in
phytophotodermatitis and it has not been proven safe for use during pregnancy and lactation.
Other uses In industry the root
mucilage provides
sizing for paper;
tobacco is sometimes
flavoured with the flowers. ==References==